CITY OF SUNNYVALE
City Council Study Session Summary
Department of Public Safety
Traffic Safety and Education Program
August 8, 2006 - 6:00 p.m.
The City Council met in a study session at City Hall in the West Conference Room, 456 West Olive Avenue, Sunnyvale, California on August 8, 2006 at 6:00 p.m., with Mayor Ron Swegles presiding.
Councilmembers Present:
Mayor Ron Swegles
Vice-Mayor Otto O. Lee
Councilmember Dean Chu
Councilmember John Howe
Councilmember Melinda Hamilton
Councilmember Anthony (Tony) Spitaleri
Councilmember Christopher R. Moylan
Councilmembers Absent: None.
City Staff Present: Amy Chan, City Manager
Robert Walker, Assistant City Manager
David Kahn, City Attorney
Don Johnson, Director of Public Safety
Marvin Rose, Director of Public Works
Jack Whitthaus, Transportation/Traffic Manager
Dayton Pang, Acting Deputy Chief
Chris Carrion, Public Safety Captain/Acting Deputy Chief
Rick Sautter, Lt., Public Safety Traffic Unit
Ryan Yin, Public Safety Officer, Traffic Unit
Fabian Monge, Public Safety Officer, Traffic Unit
Dean Discher, Public Safety Officer, Community Safety Services
Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Ron Swegles at 6:00 p.m.
Study Session Summary
I. Introductory Remarks
The Department of Public Safety presented an overview of their Traffic Safety and Education Program. Key presentation components included:
- Organizational philosophy
- Organizational responsibilities and activities
- Interdepartmental linkages
- Community linkages
II. Question and Answer/Comments
Councilmember Moylan asked for a breakdown of the approximate 10,000 – 12,000 citations issued each year.
Answer: Staff indicated that approximately 35% are issued by officers assigned to the Traffic Safety Unit and the remaining 65% are issued by patrol officers. Additionally, staff answered that almost 73% are hazard violations and 27% are non-hazard related.
Councilmember Moylan asked how he can make a complaint referral. Can he contact a Neighborhood Resource Officer directly?
Answer: City Manager Amy Chan asked that complaints be routed through the Office of the City Manager.
Councilmember Moylan requested a copy of the PowerPoint presentation. Copies were provided to all attendees.
Councilmember Howe commented on Council’s high level of interest in traffic safety and education.
Councilmember Howe asked what percent of revenue remains after the unit operating costs?
Answer: Staff indicated they would provide this information after further analysis. Staff anticipates completion of this task by September 1, 2006.
Councilmember Howe asked if the unit supervisor does traffic enforcement.
Answer: Staff acknowledged the Traffic Lieutenant is, in fact, a working supervisor.
Councilmember Howe asked what hours the Traffic Safety Unit works.
Answer: Staff responded 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Councilmember Howe asked if Operation Safe Passage includes all schools.
Answer: Staff affirmed it does include enforcement and education at all schools.
Councilmember Hamilton asked if Lt. Sautter read “Road Show” in the San Jose Mercury News.
Answer: Yes.
Councilmember Hamilton indicated she had received several comments regarding red light violators eastbound on El Camino Real at Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd/Mathilda Avenue, and has observed violations herself.
Councilmember Lee asked if Public Safety’s Pursuit Policy defines how and when we pursue.
Answer: Chief Johnson commented that the policy does articulate pursuit guidelines; and is in fact one of the most restrictive in Santa Clara County.
Councilmember Lee asked if we a have driver’s license card reading device to use when issuing citations.
Answer: Staff answered no.
Mayor Swegles asked if Public Safety uses volunteers to operate radar to slow traffic.
Answer: Staff answered that they do not, and could not recollect such a program used by Public Safety.
Mayor Swegles commented that the red light seems stale on Northbound Fairoaks to the turn pocket onto Northbound Highway 101.
Staff indicated they would look into this issue.
Mayor Swegles asked, what was the seatbelt campaign success rate?
Answer: Staff commented that our compliance rate is about 98%.
City Manager Amy Chan asked, how do we accomplish traffic safety on weekends and nights if motors are off-duty?
Answer: Staff answered that officers enforce traffic laws 24 hours daily, and that Council will most likely see an increase in both enforcement and education as Public Safety continues to certify officers in the use of radar.
City Manager Amy Chan reiterated that the Traffic Unit is fully staffed and thanked presenters for their hard work.
Adjournment
The Study Session was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Don Johnson, Director of Public Safety